Mine car



@ 5, 1936. l G, E, EDMUNDS 2,056,651

MINE CAR original Filed March 1'7, 1932 5 sheets-shed 1 et, 6, 1936. G. E. EDMUNDs 2,056,651

MINE CAR Original Filed March 1'7, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WWA/MMM Get., 69 1936. e. E. EDMUNDs MINE CAR Original Filed March 17, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 6, 1936. v Q E, EDMUNDS 2,056,651

MINE CAR Original Filed March 17, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct 6, 1936.. G. E. EDMUNDs 2,056,651

y MINE CAR Original Filed March 17, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A'Patented Oct. 6,1936

5,656,651 Fri CE MINE oAn Glenn E. Edmunds, Cplumbua, Ohio, assignor to The Bonney-Floyd Company, Columbus, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application March 17, 1932, Serial No. 599,552 lltenewed September 3, 1936 'iClalms.

-The present invention relates to improvements in mine car construction and has as its general object the provision of a strong, capacious car of simple design.

I, The invention relates particularly to a'new `form of wheel mounting adapted to be associated with the car body in such a manner as to occupy a minimum Aamount of body space, and also relates to an improved form of stub axle and mounting means therefor. The invention as a whole has particular reference to cars of the stub axle type and has been shown in the accompanying drawings as applied to such a car.

ln the drawings,

Figure 1= is a side elevation of a mine car em'- bodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the mine car of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the forward lower portion of the car; Y

Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevation of the central portion of the' car with parts broken away;

Figure 6 is a section on line 5 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a section on line 1-1 of Figure 5;

yFigure 8 is a perspective of one unit of a tandem wheel mounting; y

Figure 9 is a further perspective view of the mounting means of Figure 8;

Figure l is an axial section of theunits of Figures 8 and 9;

Figure i1 is a perspective of a single wheel mounting unit;

Figure l2 is a side elevation of a portion of a car equipped with a modified form of wheel mounting; l

Figure 13 is a section on line |3-l3 of Figure l2;

yFigure le is an axial section ofthe wheel 'mounting shown in Figures 12 and 13;

Figure l is an axial section of a wheel and axle assembly; and

Figures 16 to i9 are perspective views of elements involved in the construction shown in Figure l5,y

Referring to the drawings and first to Figuresl l to il, reference numeral 20 designates generally a mine car having the side walls 2| and 22, the end walls 23 and 24, and the bottom wall or floor 25. Longitudinal sill members 26 and 2l extend throughout the length of the car inwardly of the side walls, these `sill members.l

tongues as at 39, Figure 4, extending through semi-circular' prolongation of the sleeve.

apertures in the 'end walls and secured to the ends ofthe sill members. Draft tongues 3l and4 32 are secured on thefrespective bumpers?.

(Cl.- loi-364) The body is suitably reinforced as by angle bars in the wall corners as at 33 and 34, Figure 2, and by angle bars 35 and 36 at the junctures of the iloor and side walls, angle bars as at 3l and 38, Figure 2, joining the oor and end walls. Further, a suitable number of wall reinforcing straps 39 may be provided, and these may extend continuously under the floor if desired.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, oor 25 is upwardly inclined outwardly of -the sill members so that a low bottom car is secured. At suitable intervals, the floor intermediate the sill members and side walls is provided with recesses or apertures as at 40, Figure 1, in which are disposed the wheel mountings 4| and wheels 42. Since each wheel mounting is the same, a'. description of one will suiilce.

rl'he mounting means for each wheel may be made as an independent unit or those for the wheels on the same side of the car may be connected in suitable tandem relation. The tandem construction is contemplated in Figures 8 and 9 and the single unit construction in Figure l1.

lin Figures l to 7 and 10 the views are so taken` Each wheel mounting unit comprises a vertical web or pedestal 43 securable to the outer side of a sill member and having an outwardly proiecting hollow boss or bearing 44 adapted to receive the inner end 45 of a stub axle, the outer end of the boss being radially flared as at 46 to present a thrust surface. If the unit is cast integral, which is the preferred construction and that shown in the drawings, the web 43 and are 48 may be conveniently joined by an in tegral yoke v41 defining a guide opening for a brake cable. A wheel hood 48 is preferably formed with web 43, the lower edges of the wheel hood being bounded by flanges ,49 and 50 inclined upwardly from web 43 at the angle of the floor between the sill and side wall and secured to the oor margins at the aperture 40.V At the ends of ilanges 49 and Ellis disposed a horizontally extending flange 5I in the plane of the door and secured to the bottom web of the corner angle bar. IThe hood 48 includes a are portion 52 joined to flange 5|, an ear 53 joining the nare portion l52 and the outer side wall of the hood proper. Mounted beneath iiare 52 coaxially with boss 44 is a sleeve or bearing 54 provided at its inner end with a radial are 55, the latter serving as a thrust surface and pedestal. The outer end-56` of the stub axle is mounted in sleeve 54 and retained against outward displacement by means of a cotter pin 51 passed through apertures 58 formed in an upper substantially Displacement oi.' the stub .axle inwardly is prevented by the adjacent sill member. The are 5l is substantially coplanar with the outer side wall of the hood 48 and, in a c'ast article, merges with the latter to provide a pedestal for bearing 54.

If desired, web 43 and ilange 5I may be con- A tinued as at 43 and 5|' to constitute integral parts ofY the other wheel mounting on the same side of the car, Figures 8 and 9. It will thus be seen that each wheel mounting is rigidly positioned through connection with a main sill, the iloor, the angle member between the floor and adjacent side wall, and consequently, through such angle member, with the sidel wall. As a further strengthening feature, the ear 53 of each mounting is preferably connected by means of a plate 59 with an angle^bar 60 secured to the adjacent spide wall. Since each wheel mounting conforms closely'to the upper portion of the associated wheel, it forms a relatively small protuberance in the car and impairs the capacity of the latter to a negligible extent. While the mountings are shown as being formed as integral castings, it will be understood that-the invention is not necessarily limited in this respect. For example, each mounting unit might be constituted by a wheel hood with separate. axle bearings bolted thereto.

'Ihe anges 49 and 5|) constitute in themselves spaced transverse stiffening elements rigidly secured between main sill 26 and angle 35, the latter constituting an outer or auxiliary sill in addition to its function of connecting the side lading bottom with the side wall. Bearing 54 may be conceived of as supported by arms rigidly joined at their ends to the stiflening elements 49 and 50. Furthermore, to refer to Figures `8 and 9, the bar constituted by flanges 5I of two adjacent umts and the connecting portion acts as a short outer-or auxiliary sill.

According to Figures 12 to 14, the construction of the wheel mounting is generally the same as that above described. Here, however, the side flanges 49' and 50' are continued horizontally toy the outer side of the wheel hood 48' and then inclined upwardly. This means that the outer side wall of the hood extends lower than in the embodiment first described and a flare portion 55 is longitudinally extended to the outer ends of the horizontal portions o! the side flanges 49 and 50. 'Ihe hood portion 52' is curved inwardly and downwardly to the lower edges of the outer side wall of the hood proper.

The advantage of this construction over -that nrst described is that the low intermediate floor portion, instead of terminating inwardly of the wheels, terminates outwardly thereof with a consequent increaseof car capacity.

Referring to Figures 15 to 19, I have shown, in connection with a car of known design, an improved wheel and axle assembly. Spaced side Iframes BI and 62 have yaligned bores receiving witha comparatively tight fit collars or bush- I ings 63 and I4.A 'I'he bearing sleeve g5 of side frame 62 is provided outwardly of collar 64 with inwardly extending circumferential ribs 56 which prevent outward displacement of the bushing.

- A non-round stub axle 61, here shown as being hexagonaLhas its ends engaged in the similarly contoured collar interiors so that rotation of the axle relative tothe collars is impossible. A sleeve 58 is mounted on the axle and conforms interiorly' to the axle cross section so as to b e non-rotatable relative to the axle. At one end, the sleeve has an integral dust collar 69 and at its other end is threaded to receive the removable dust collar. 10. lockable thereon by-means of a latch 1|. roller bearing assemblies 12 and 13 in operative relation to the wheel 14.

Inwarddisplacement of collar 63 and axle 61 is prevented by the sill member 15 which, however, is provided with a small aperture 16 substantially coaxial with axle 61 through which a tool may be inserted to drive the axle outwardly. Normally, outward movement of the axle is prevented by a cotter'pin 11 passed through apertures interrupting ribs B6 of bearing sleeve 65. Also the outer end of axle 61 is provided with a tapped bore 61 adapted to be engaged by a tractive tool for withdrawal of the axle.

The described axle presents a relatively large projected bearing area and the large diameter of the collars 63 and 64 also tends to minimize wear because of the large projected bearing area. Further, the axle being a rolled section, requires no machining, thus reducing its initial-and replacement cost. The new wheel and axle assembly can obviously be used 4in conjunction with any stub axle mounting;`

It will be understood that theinvention is susceptible of various embodiments, and consequently, is not limited to the details which-have been specifically described. I do not limit myself vas to structure except as in the following claims.

l. In a car of the class described, a body comprising afloor and` side and end walls, a pair oi longitudinal sills secured to the floor, the floor being provided at each side with longitudinally spaced wheel openings adjacent said sills, wheel supporting units at said openings and secured to the sills; each of said units beingpositionable at an opening as a. Whole and each comprising a single stub axle, means for supporting said axle at both ends and flange portions attached to the transverse floor margins at an opening; and wheels mounted on the axles.

2. In a car of the class described, a bodyV comprisinga floor and side and end walls, a pair of longitudinal sills4 secured to the floor, the floor being provided at ach'side with longitudinally spaced wheel openings adjacent said sills, wheel supporting units at said openings and secured to the sills; each of said units being positionable at an opening as a whole and each comprising a single stub axle, means for supporting said axle at .both ends, and a wheel hood closing one of the openings in the floor and having ange portions attached to the transverse oor margins at theopening; and wheels mounted on the axles.

3. In a car of the class described, a body comprising a floor and side and end walls, a pair of longitudinal sills secured to the floor above the latter, the oor being provided at each side with longitudinally spaced wheel openings adjacent said sills, wheel Ysupporting units at said openings and secured to the sills; each of said units being positionable at an opening as a whole and each comprising a single stub axle, means for supportingsaid axle at both ends and angeportions attached to the transverse floor margins at an opening; and wheels mounted on the axles.

' 4. In a car of the classl described, a body comprising a floor and sidefand end walls, a pair of longitudinal sills secured to the floor 'above the latter; the floor being provided at each side with longitudinally spaced wheel openings adjacent said sills, wheel supporting units at said openings and secured to the sills; each of said units being positionable at an opening as a whole and each comprising a singlek stub axle, means for support- Intermediate the sleeve collars .are disposed longitudinal sills secured to the floor above thel latter, the iioor being provided at each side with longitudinally spaced Wheel openings between the sills and side walls, wheel supporting units at said openings and secured to the sills and side walls;

each of said units being positionable at an open.

, ing as a whole and each comprising a single stub axle, means for supporting said axle at both ends, and flange portions attached to the transverse floor margins and a side wall at an opening; and wheels mounted on the axles.

6. In a car of the class described, a body comprising a oor and side and end walls, a pair of longitudinal sills secured to the floor above the latter, the floor being provided at each side with longitudinally spaced wheel openings between the sills and side walls, wheel supporting units at said openings and secured to the sills and side walls; each of said units being positionable at an opening as a whole and each comprising a single stub axle, means for supporting said axle at both ends, and a wheel hood closing one of the floor openings and having ange portions attached to the transverse floor margins at the opening; and wheels mounted on the axles.

'7. In a car of the class described, a. body comprising a oor and side and end walls, a pair of longitudinal sills secured to the floor above the latter, the floor being provided at each side with longitudinally spaced wheel openings outwardly of the sills, wheel supportingunits at said openings, each of said units being positionable at an opening as awhole and each comprising a single stub axle and means for supporting said axle at both ends, the floor portions outwardly of the sills being upwardly inclined to the lower edges of the side walls, said lower edges being above the tops of the stub axles, and wheels mounted on the.

axles.

8. In a car of the class described, a body comprising a oor and side and end walls, a pair of longitudinal sills secured to the door above the latter, th'e floor being provided at each side with longitudinally spaced wheel openings outwardly of the sills, wheel supporting units at said openings, each of said units being positionable at an opening as a whole and each comprising a single stub axle and means for supporting said axle at both ends, the oor portion outwardly of the sills being upwardly inclined from the sills to the lower edges of the side walls, said lower edges being above the tops of the stub axles, and Wheels mounted on the axles.

9. Ina car of the class described, a body comprising a floor and side and end Walls, a pair of longitudinal sills secured to theoor above the latter, the iioor being provided at each side with longitudinally spaced wheel openings outwardly of the sills, wheel supporting units at said openings, each of said units being positionable at"an opening as a whole and each comprising a single stub axle and means for supporting said axle at both ends, the iioor 4portions outwardly of the sills being upwardly inclined from the outer sides of the wheels to the lower edges of the side walls, said lower edges being above the tops of the stub axles, and wheels mounted on the axles.

10. A wheel mounting for cars of the type described, said mounting comprising a pair of opposed supports, a non-round stub axle having its ends mounted in said supports, a sleeve on said axle, the inner surfaces of said sleeve conforming to the axle surfaces to render the sleeve nonrotatable relative to the axle, a wheel on said sleeve, and anti-friction bearings interposed between the Wheel and sleeve. g il. A wheel mounting for cars of the type described, said mounting comprising a pair of opposed supports provided with aligned bores, a non-round stub axle whoseends are disposed in said bores, collars in the bores receiving the axle ends, a sleeve on said axle between the collars, the inner surfaces of said sleeve and collars conforming to the axle surfaces to prevent relative rotation, a wheel on said sleeve, and anti-friction bearings interposed between the wheel and sleeve.

12. A wheel mounting for cars of the type described, said mounting comprising a pair `of opposed supports provided with aligned bores, a non-round stub axle whose. ends are disposed in said bores, collars in the bores receiving the axle ends, a sleeve on said axle between the collars, the l forming to the axle surfaces to prevent relative.

rotation, means abutting the collar ends to prevent undue movement of the collars away from the sleeve, a wheel on said sleeve, and anti-fric-y tion bearings interposed between the Wheel and sleeve.

13. A wheel r'nountingv for cars of the type described. said mounting comprising a pair of opposed supports provided with aligned bores, a stub axle having its ends disposed in said bores, collars in the bores non-rotatably receiving the ends, a sleeve non-rotatable on the axle between the collars, a wheel on said sleeve, and anti-friction bearings interposed between the wheel and sleeve.

14. In a car of the class described, a longitudinal sill member having a vertical Wall, a. bearing member secured to said sill memberand having a through bore, a stub axle having one end received in said bore, and a second bearing member supported opposite the rst and having a through bore to receive the other end of the axle, the sill member being provided with an aperture in alignment with the axle and smaller than the cross section of the adjacent axle end. said aperture being adapted to pass a driving tool for the ejection of the axle.

15. A mine car comprising a body with side walls and ilooring, the flooring having a longi- ;tudinal central portion below the side portions of the flooring, longitudinal body elements between said central iiooring portion and side ooring portions and disposed above said central ooring portion, the side flooring portions having wheel openings therein between said longitudinal elements and the side walls; axle mountings each I constituting an integral cast unit comprising bearings fora stub axle, a wheel hood, and means secured to the body parts around an opening in a side ooring portion, said last-named means including transversely extending flanges secured to the side flooring portion and a face secured against a longitudinal element; and wheeled stub axles in said axle mountings. said mountings extending outwardlyfrom said longitudinal elements to points at least near said side walls.

16. A mine car comprising a body set on stub axles and wheels rotatable on said axles, in which the body has a sub axle-plane central flooring, longitudinal sills, side flooring, side Walls, auxiliary sills spaced outwardly from the first said sills and secured to the side flooring, and a unitary wheel hood and axle pedestal secured between the spaced sills.

17. A mine car comprising a body set on stub axles and wheels rotatable on said axles, in which the body has a sub axle-plane central flooring,

longitudinal sills, side ooring, side walls, auxiliary sillsy spaced outwardly from the iirst said.

sills L and secured to the side flooring, and a unitary wheel hood and axle pedestal secured between the spaced sills with the wheel hood portion extending above thevplane of the side flooring.

18. A mine .car comprising a body set on stub axles and wheels rotatable on said axles, in which 4the body has a sub-axle-plane,central-flooring,

longitudinal sills, side ilooring, side walls, auxiliary sills spaced' outwardly from the ilrst said sills and secured to the side flooring, and a unitary wheel hood and axle pedestal between the spaced sills having a lateral flange secured to the side flooring.

19. In a mine car, a sill, an auxiliary sill member spaced outwardly therefrom, a unitary wheel hood and axle pedestal secured betweemthe sills, and ooring connecting the sills in a plane intersecting the unit below the wheel hood portion, said unit comprising a divided lower part -to receive a wheel, said divided lowerpart beingl provided with recesses adapted to receive an axle.

20. In a mine car, a side sill, an auxiliary sill member spaced outwardly therefrom. a central floor portion supported by the side sill, a unitary wheel hood and axle pedestal arranged between and secured to the side sill and sill member, said unit comprising depending bearing portions adapted to receive an axle in a plane above the horizontal plane of the central floor portion.

21. In a. mine car comprising a body having side sills, a central floor portion supported by the side sills and side oor portions extending outwardly beyond the side sills and having wheel` receiving openings, means for supporting the body comprising auxiliary sill members secured to the side floor portions, combined wheel hood and pedestal members secured to the side sills, auxiliary sill members and side iloor portions and closing the wheel receiving openings, and wheel carrying axles in the pedestals arranged in a plane between the top and bottom portions of the side sills.

22. A mine car comprising a body having side sills, a central floor portion` supported thereby, side floor portions secured to the sills and provided with wheel receiving`openings, short sill members secured to the side floor portions, and wheel hoods secured to the side floor portions and provided with depending recessed bearing portions attached to the' side sills and sill members adapted to receive stub axles in a horizontal plane above the plane of the central floor portion.

23. In a car of the class described, a body comprising side walls and flooring, longitudinal sills spaced inwardly from the side walls and to which the flooring is secured, wheel openings in the side flooring portions between said sills and side walls; and individual wheel mounting means at each of said openings and each comprising spaced transverse stiffening elements extending along the margins of the side flooring at an opening and secured to said margins, said stiilening elements being rigidly secured to the sill and side wall which are adjacent the opening, a bearing for one end of a stub axle secured to the sill at the opening, a rigid element extending in the longitudinal direction of the car between said transverse elements and rigidly iixed thereto, a

bearingforthe other end of a stub axle carried the flooring is secured, wheel. openings in the side ilooring portions between said sills and side walls; and individual wheel mounting means at each of said openings and each comprising spaced transverse/stiiening elements extending along the margins of the side iiooring at an opening and -secured to said margins, said stiffening elements being rigidlysecured to\ the sill and side wall which are adjacent the opening, a bearing for one end of a stub axle secured to the sill at the opening, a rigid element extending in the longitudinal direction' of the car between said transverseelements and rigidly fixed thereto, a bearing for the other end of a stub axle carried by said longitudinally extending element, a wheeled stub axle mounted in said bearings; and wheel hoods in rigid connection with said transverse elements, each wheel mounting means being positionable at an opening as a unit.

25. Structure according to claim 23 4wherein said transverse elements are -secured to the side walls through the intermediary of auxiliary sills. 26. Structure according to claim 23 wherein said transverse elements are secured to the side walls through the intermediary of auxiliary sills which also serve to connect the side walls and side flooring portions.

27. A mine car comprising. a body unit wit side Walls and flooring, the iiooring having a longitudinal central portion and side floor portions above said central portion, longitudinal body elements between said` central ooring portion and side ooring portions and having vertical Webs extending above said central iiooring portion, the side ooring portions each having a plurality of wheel openings therein between said longitudinal elements and the side walls, individual unitary wheel mountings positioned in said openings;

each wheel mounting unit comprising a. singlel casting which includes a wheel hood and inner and outer longitudinal vertical flanges formed with bearings for a wheeled stub axle, the inner longitudinall flange extending substantially between the top planes of the central flooring portion and a side ilooring portion and being secured to the adjacent longitudinal body element, and freely projecting ilanges secured in lapped relation to the margins of a side flooring portion at oneof said wheel openings, the mounting unit extending outwardly from the adjacent longitudinal body element and laterally beyond the outer axle bearing -to'the adjacent side wall of the body whereby the side wall serves as a body weight transmitting element to, the mounting unit, each -wheel mounting unit being inserted as a whole and independently of the others in a wheel opening; and wheeled stub axles mounted in the bearings of said wheel mounting units.

28. Structure according to claim 27 wherein the wheel mounting units are secured to the side walls through auxiliary sills.

29. Structure according to claim 27 wherein the Wheel mounting units are secured to the side walls through auxiliary sills, which also serve to connect the side walls andthe side flooring portions.

30. In a mine car, main sills, a central lading bottom between the lower portions of the sills, yside wings comprising side walls and side lading bottoms secured' to the .si1ls, and spaced transverse stiflening elements secured to the side walls,

the side lading bottoms and the sills, wheeled stub axles, pairs of spaced axle bearings on opposite sides of the car, one of each pair extending from one of said stiiening elements to another, and wheel hoods covering apertures in the side lading bottoms, said wheel hoods, said axle bearing ends and said spaced-stiiening elements being secured to the side lading bottom by means common to them all.

31. In a stub axle mine car, a body having side walls and side and central lading bottoms, body stiiening elements secured to the side Walls and the side lading bottoms, and means for supporting the body comprising a pair of axle bearings secured to the body, one thereof having a central bearing portion and arms projecting in opposite directions therefrom and attached to adjacent body stiffening elements.

32. In a mine car, a body having side walls, longitudinal sills and a lading supporting bottom, transverse stiiTening elements secured to the side walls and the bottom, stub axles, and oppositely arranged pairs of inner and outerI axle bearing members spaced longitudinally of the carfor supporting the body, said inner members being secured to the sills and said outer members extending between and being connected to adjacent stiffening elements.

33. In a mine car, a body having sidewalls, main sills and a lading supporting bottom, stiftening elements secured to the sills and the bottom, stub axles, and pairs of inner and outer axle bearing members for supporting the body and in which said stub axles are arranged, said bearing members being arranged in longitudinally spaced relation with respect to the body with the inner bearing members secured to the sills and the outer bearing members being below the plane of the side portions of the car bottom and extending between and connected to adjacent stiffening elements.

34. A mine car having a body comprising lading ilooring and side walls secured to said flooring, a pair of longitudinal sills spaced inwardly from the side walls and disposed on top of said flooring and secured thereto, said fiooring being provided with pairs of longitudinally spaced' wheel open# ings between the respective sills and adjacent side walls, wheel housings covering said openings respectively and secured between and to the sills and side walls and to the transverse ilooring margins at the openings; each of said housings including a pair of bearings, and a wheeled stub axle in the bearings of each of said housings.

35. A mine car having a body comprising lading ooring and side walls secured to said flooring, a pair of longitudinal sills spaced inwardly from the side walls and disposed on topof said flooring and secured thereto, said ooring being provided with pairs of longitudinally spaced wheel openings between the respective sills and adjacent side walls, wheel housings covering said openings respectively and secured between and to the sillsA and side Walls and to the transverse ooring margins at the openings;4 the wheel housings comprising end closures disposed against the sills and constituted as axle bearings; axles in the respective sills and adjacent side walls, wheelhousings coveringsaid openings respectively and secured between and to the sills and side walls and having flanges lapping and secured to the transverse flooring margins at 'the openings, 4each of Asaid housings including a pair ofv bearings, and a wheeled stub axle in the bearings 'of each of said housings.

37. A mine car having a body comprising lading flooring and side walls secured to said flooring, a pair of longitudinal sills spaced inwardly from the sidewalls and disposed on top of said :flooring and secured thereto, said flooring beingprovided with pairs of longitudinally spaced wheel openings between the respective sills and adjacent side walls, wheel housings covering said openings respectively and extending between the sills and side walls, means connecting the outer ends of Lsaid housings with the adjacent side walls, the wheel housings comprising inner end closures vconstituted as axle bearings disposed against the adjacent sills and secured thereto, means securing the housings to the transverse flooring'margins at the openings; axles in said bearings, and

wheels on said axles and disposed in said houscent side walls, wheel housings covering saidl openings respectively and extending between the sills and side walls, angle members connecting the outer endsv of said housings with the adjacent side walls, the wheel housings comprising inner end closures constituted as axle bearings disposed against the adjacent sills and secured thereto,

means securing the housings to the transverse flooring margins at the openings; axles in said bearings, and wheels on said axles and disposed in said housings.

39. A mine car having a body comprising lading ooringand side walls secured to said flooring, a

pair of longitudinal sills spaced inwardly from the side walls and disposed on top of said flooring and secured thereto, said ooring being provided with pairs of longitudinally spaced wheel openings between the respective sills and adjacent side walls, wheel housings covering said openings respectively and extending between the sills and side walls, means connecting the outer ends of said housings with the adjacent side walls, the wheel housings comprising inner end closures constituted as, axle bearings disposed against the adjacent sills and secured thereto, the housings having flanges lapping and secured to the transverse flooring margins .at the openings; axles in said bearings, and wheels on said axles and disposed in said housings.

40. A mine car having a body comprising lading ooring and side walls secured to said ooring, a pair of longitudinal sills spaced inwardflooring and secured thereto, said ooring being end closures constituted as axle bearings dis-v posed against the adjacent sills and secured thereto, the housings having anges lapping and secured to the transverse flooring margins at the openings; axles in said bearings, and wheels on said axles and disposed in said housings.

41. A mine car comprising a body having a lading iioring and side and end walls, a pair of main sills extending from end to end of the body above the flooring and secured thereto, said sills being spaced inwardly from said side walls, a pair of wheel openings spaced longitudinally oi.' the car between each sill and adjacent side wall, individual wheel housings closing said openings respectively and secured to the adjacent sills and side walls and to the transverse ilooring margins at the openings, the said wheel housings each including a hood portion and an axle bearing adjacent.v the main sill and a second axle bearing aligned with the first and spaced outwardly therefrom, a stub axle mounted in the pair of bearings in each housing and a wheel mounted for rotation on each axle, the axis oi.' rotation of the wheels being above at least the flooring portion between the sills.

42. A mine car comprising a body having a lading ilooring and side and end walls, a pair of main sills extending from end to end of the body above the iiooring and secured thereto. said sills being spaced inwardly from said side walls, a

pair of wheel openings spaced longitudinally of' the car between each sill and adjacent'side wall, individual ,wheel housings closing said openings respectively and secured to the adjacent sills and side walls and to the transverse oorlng margins at the openings, the said wheel housings `each including a hood portion and an axle bearing adjacent the main sill and a second axle bearing aligned with the ilrst and spaced outwardly therefrom, a 'stub axle mounted in the pair of bearings in each housingand a wheel mounted for rotation on each axle, the axis of rotation of the wheels being above at least the ilooring portion between the sills, said last-named ooring portion being substantially uniplanar from end to end of the car.

43. A mine car comprising a body having a lading flooring and side and end walls, a pair of main sills extending from end to end of the body in inwardly spaced relation to the side walls and secured to the ilooring, said sills being above the iiooring portion which extends between them, a

pair oi.' wheel openings spaced longitudinally of the car between each of said sills and the adjacent side walls, a pair of auxiliary sills spaced outwardly of the main sills and secured to the nooring portions outwardly oi.' the main sills, the said wheel openings being between the main and auxiliarysills, individual wheel housings closing said openings respectively and secured to the adjacent mainand auxiliary sills and to the transverse ilooring marginsl at the openings, the said wheel housings each including a hood portion and an axle bearing adjacent the main sill and a secondr axle bearing aligned with the iirst end spaced outwardly therefrom, a stub axle mounted in the pair of bearings in each housing, and a wheel mounted for rotation on each axle, the axis of rotation being above at least the ilooring portion between' the main sills.

44. A mine car comprising a body having a lading ooring and side and end walls, a pair of main sills extending from end to end of the body in inwardly spaced relation to the side walls'and secured to the flooring, said sills being above the flooring portion which extends between them, a pair of wheel openings spaced longitudinally o! the car between each of said sills and the adjacent side wall, a pair of auxiliary sills spaced outwardly of the main sills and secured to the ilooring portions outwardly of the main sills, the said wheel openings being between the main and auxiliary sills, individual wheel housings closing said openings respectively and secured to the adjacent main and auxiliary sills and to the transverse ooring margins at the openings, the said wheel housings each including a hood portion and an axle bearing adjacent the main sill and a second axle bearing aligned with the ilrst end spaced outwardly therefrom, a stub axle mounted in the pair of bearings in each housing, and a wheel mounted for rotation on each axle, the axis of rotation being above at least the ooring portion between the main sills, said last-named ilooring portion being substantially uniplanar from end to end of the car.

45. A mine car comprising a body unit with side walls and iiooring, the `ooring having longitudinal central portion and side floor portions, longitudinal body elements between said central iloor portion and side floor portions, said longitudinal body elements being rigidly secured to the ooring and projecting above said central :floor portion, the side iloor portions each having a plurality of wheel openings therein spaced longitudinally thereof between said longitudinal elements and the side walls, individual unitary wheel mountings positioned in said openings; each .wheel mounting unit comprising a single casting which includes a wheel hood and inner and outer longitudinal vertical flanges formed with bearings for a wheeled stub axle, the inner longitudinal flange being secured to the adjacent longitudinal body element, and freely projecting ilanges secured in lapped relation to the margins of a side iloor portion at one of said wheeled openings, the mounting unit extending outwardly from the adjacent longitudinal body element and laterally beyond the outer axle bearing to the adjacent side wall of the body, whereby the side wall serves s a body weight transmitting .element to the mounting unit, each wheel mounting unit being inserted as a whole and independently of the others in a wheeled opening; and wheeled stub axles mounted in the bearings of said wheeled mounting units.

46. Structure according to claim 45 wherein the wheel mounting units are secured to the side walls through auxiliary sills. v

47. Structure according to claim 45 wherein the wheel mounting units are secured to the side walls through auxiliary sills which `also serve to connect the side walls and the side floor portions.

GLENN E. 

